Self-actuating device for centralizing an object
AssigneeTerves, LLC
InventorAndrew J. Sherman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to the interventionless activation of wellbore devices using dissolving and/or degrading and/or expanding structural materials. Engineered response materials, such as those that dissolve and/or degrade or expand upon exposure to specific environment, can be used to centralize a device in a wellbore.
Claims36
A centralizing device configured to be placed on, attached to, or combinations thereof an outside surface of a bore member and to centralize the bore member in a wellbore, cavity, or tube, said centralizing device includes a body, an active material that includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an expandable material and a degradable material, and a first and second well bore wall engagement members positioned in a non-deployed position, said first and second well bore wall engagement members including one or more structures selected from the group consisting of slat, wing, bow, leave, ribbon, extension and rib, said first well bore wall engagement members configured to move from said non-deployed position to a deployed position, said active material configured to cause or to enable said first and second well bore wall engagement members to move from said non-deployed position to said deployed position to thereby cause an outer surface of said first and second well bore wall engagement members to engage the wellbore, cavity, or tube and cause the bore member to be centralized in the wellbore, cavity, or tube, a maximum outer perimeter of said centralizing device is greater in size when said first and second well bore wall engagement members are in said deployed position as compared to when said first and second well bore wall engagement members are in said non-deployed position, at least a portion of said outer surface of said first and second well bore wall engagement members absent said active material, at least a portion of said first and second well bore wall engagement members formed of material that is non-expandable.
A centralizing device configured to be placed on, attached to, or combinations thereof an outside surface of a bore member and to centralize the bore member in a wellbore, cavity, or tube, said centralizing device includes a body, an active material, and first and second well bore wall engagement members, said first and second well bore wall engagement members positioned in a non-deployed position, said first and second well bore wall engagement members configured to move from said non-deployed position to a deployed position, said active material configured to cause or enable said first and second well bore wall engagement members to move from said non-deployed position to said deployed position, a maximum outer perimeter of said centralizing device is greater in size when said first and second well bore wall engagement members are in said deployed position as compared to when said first and second well bore wall engagement members are in said non-deployed position, said body of said centralizing device includes first and second body sections and said first and second well bore wall engagement members connected between said first and second body sections, said first and second end portions spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis of said centralizing device, said first and second well bore wall engagement members spaced apart from one another, said first and second body sections and said first and second well bore wall engagement members forming a cavity in said centralizing device that extends along a longitudinal length of said centralizing device, said cavity is configured to enable said bore member to be positioned in said cavity when said centralizing device is positioned on said bore member, at least a portion of said outer surface of said first and second well bore wall engagement members absent said active material, at least a portion of said first and second well bore wall engagement members formed of material that is non-expandable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.